Civil War theme is prominent
at Historic Midway Museum Store

If you’re looking for gifts or items with a Civil War theme, a stop at the Historic Midway Museum Store is in order.

Leslie and Bill Penn have more than 100 new and used titles of War Between the States books. Playing cards featuring Union and Confederate generals and the CSA battleflag also are available in addition to a “Midway in the Civil War” booklet by Penn himself. Then, there’s a Civil War-theme coloring book for children and children’s kepi caps.

Billed as “Gifts, Jewelry, Art and Books since 1996,” the store also features Kentucky crafts and equine and history books displayed on the second floor in a Victorian setting. Penn points out the store is the only authorized Keeneland Gift Shop satellite dealer in Midway.

Located at 124 East Railroad Street, the store is in the Woodford County Midway Historic District and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The brick two-story building is believed to have been built around 1880-82. It was used as a saloon and coffee house until about 1915, with living quarters above. An African American organization, the Sons and Daughters of Relief, then purchased the building and operated a bar/restaurant downstairs and meeting room upstairs.

Leslie and Bill also are accomplished musicians and provide instrumental arrangements for Central Kentucky receptions, events and at historic sites. They’ve played at a variety of receptions, including one for “Shades of Blue and Gray: The Role of the Horse in the Civil War.”

Performances feature flute, guitar, fiddle, mandolin and piano. Bill also is a fiddler with the Squash Beetle Morris Dancers.

The Penns can be contacted by phone/fax at 859-846-4214. More information is available at www.midwaymuseumstore.com.